Steppenwolf contemplates several possibilities for his second adventure including transforming into a plant or animal, Kamasutra, suicide, Eastern mysticism, capitalism, art and music, humor, and solitude. Steppenwolf chooses “GUIDANCE IN THE BUILDING UP OF THE PERSONALITY. SUCCESS GUARANTEED.” He meets a chess player who resembles Pablo. The chess player offers to show Steppenwolf how to assemble his life, but he requires Steppenwolf’s pieces first. Steppenwolf looks into a mirror again and watches his image shatter into miniature multiple selves. The chess player explains that schizomania is a normal state, even though society labels it as madness: “The separation of the unity of the personality into these numerous pieces passes for madness. Science has invented the name schizomania for it.” Steppenwolf’s pieces are arranged several times on the chess board to demonstrate possible alternate realities.
